Find Ancestors

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Quick Search

Single word search

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

British Royal Flying Corps casualties

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Martin

Martin Report 18 May 2008 20:07

Hi , I would appreciate any help or advice with this. I am trying to find details of the death of Frank Williams who was shot down over Italy in the last stages of WW1 presumably Autumn / Winter 1918 .
I cant find any military records on here that seem to fit, he was one year old in the 1901 census , Horfield Bristol. I am guessing he was in the Flying Corps as I know he was shot down but not being a military expert , I dont know if he was perhaps flying for the Navy / Army. I would be grateful for any pointers.
Regards, Martin.

Martin

Martin Report 18 May 2008 20:51

Hi Brenda, This could be worth a follow up, but I think it could be too late as I understand he was shot down in the last few weeks of the war which would make it 1918 (?) Arelative thought that there was a grave in Italy - which may be a memorial - possably the grave is in Bristol. do you know if remains were brought back to the UK or were most casualties buried were they fell?

Pam

Pam Report 18 May 2008 21:00

Don't think remains were repatriated during WW1 but that wouldn't stop there being a grave (or headstone) in Bristol if the family paid for it. This has happend in my family.

Martin

Martin Report 18 May 2008 21:08

Thank you Pam and Brenda , your help is very much appreciated.

Martin

Martin Report 18 May 2008 21:29

Brenda ,
Thats him ! Fantastic , I am so pleased, you have made my day. Where did you find the information? The census is correct , as I am decended from Dorothy Williams.
I didnt even know his middle name was Stanley.
Do you know of any sources that would give more information regarding the battle that lead to his death?

Ozibird

Ozibird Report 18 May 2008 21:39

He was actually in the RAF as that was formed in April 1918.

Wikipedia - No. 34 Squadron RAF was formed at Castle Hooskow on 7 January 1916 from elements of No. 19 Squadron RAF. It went to France in July 1916 as a reconnaissance unit equipped with BE.2s It got RE.8s in January 1917. It transferred to the Italian front flying reconnaissance and bomber missions until the end of the war, returning to the UK and disbanding on 25 September 1919.

Martin

Martin Report 18 May 2008 21:46

This is fascinating stuff , thanks Ozibird.

Ozibird

Ozibird Report 18 May 2008 21:49

1916 Mar. 11 - 5th Battle of the Isonzo stopped early by snow and rain.

May 15 - Trentino offensive, or Asiago Offensive, began with Austrian barrage and attack, forced Italian retreat to 3rd line of defense.

June 16 - Italian counter-attack at Trentino stopped Austrian attack.

June 28 - Austrians fired cyanide gas shells at Italians near Mt. Cosich, but winds blew gas back into Austrians and attack failed.

Martin

Martin Report 18 May 2008 21:54

Brenda , you have been very helpful . Thankyou.

Martin

Martin Report 18 May 2008 21:57

Ozibird, thanks very much for the info, it really helps to get an idea of what was going on, If he died on the 28th I wonder if he was on a recon flight to have a look at the gas attack?